Choosing the appropriate pharmacotherapy for nonspecific chronic low back pain

Abstract

The pharmacological management of nonspecific chronic low back pain (NCLBP) aims to restore daily activities and improve the quality of life. No magic bullet exists for NCLBP; interventions to reduce pain and disability are available, but long-term results are unpredictable. Education in this regard needs to improve. This is often hard to accept for clinicians and patients, and provides a fertile soil to quacks, faith healers, and gurus to promote miraculous non-evidence-based solutions. The management of NCLBP is not well codified and extremely heterogeneous, and residual symptoms are common. Depending on the individual severity of NCLPB, pharmacological management may range from nonopioid to opioid analgesics. It is important to identify patients with generalized sensory hypersensitivity, who may benefit from a dedicated therapy. In this editorial, we provide an evidenced-based overview of the principles of pharmacological management of NCLPB.